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UK commercial property predictions remain volatile

January 26th, 2010 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

Expert commercial property predictions remain extremely mixed.  It appears that the long-term effects of the credit crunch have left even the commercial property specialists confused.

Looking at current and past performance figures we can see that there is physical evidence that commercial property rents are continuing to decline across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CB Richard Ellis’s latest research) and that the fallout from the recession is persistently affecting SMEs and large corporations alike.  Even Tesco our biggest supermarket chain are reducing their spending on new properties in order to decrease their costs during the recession.  However, this doesn’t quite tell the full story and in a similar pattern to Sainsbury’s and the other large grocers Tesco are still planning to expand their UK selling space by six to seven percent each year by developing their existing stores.  Comparable to residential home owners who rather than looking to purchase larger properties are instead looking to make the most of the space they already have.

The declining rental values are visibly affecting UK commercial property values and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) believe that our commercial property market is only now halfway towards recovery and won’t recuperate for at least another two years.  These predictions are in stark contrast to other industry experts who believe that 2009 will see the end to the current declines.

Confidence in commercial property investment does appear to be improving however with investors feeling far less pessimistic than at the end of 2008.  This combined with the current weakness of the pound and the fall in commercial property values over the last twelve months mean that investor interest in London commercial property has increased significantly over the last month alone.  Foreign investors are leading the way with many deciding now is the prime time to invest into UK commercial property.

Despite the increased interest investors are being warned that rents are still likely to continue to fall throughout 2009 as vacancy rates increase and the recession takes its toll.  Tenants are continuing to enjoy the declining rents which simply didn’t occur at the same pace in previous commercial property recessions due to the fact that leases are now much shorter and more flexible with increased break clauses.

London Homeowners Benefit From Secured Loans

January 25th, 2010 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

The hikes in UK property prices in the last decade has had many in the property industry reeling. Having defied expectations on a number of levels, the strength of house price increases has many pundits at a loss as to where the property market will go next. For instance, while some predict continued growth, others claim that the property market is likely to see a slow period during the last half of 2007.

However, a recent study by leading property site Home.co.uk has found that one community of property owners has benefited from the steep house price increases of recent years – homeowners in London. Despite the four rises in the Bank of England interest rate since August last year, London property prices have seen no sign of slowing down their skyward ascent. In fact, Home.co.uk’s latest Asking Price Index report infers that the average property for sale in London now carries a staggering price tag of £336, 900.

And while this news will not be favourable for first-time buyers hoping to get a foothold in the property market in London, the rising value of London homes is likely to please many existing homeowners with properties in the capital. Moreover, this phenomenal growth has stood London homeowners in good stead when it comes to borrowing, as the breathtaking levels of property inflation means it’s easier for them to find attractive secured loans.

A secured loan is a financial arrangement in which the borrower promises an asset – like a house or a car – as effective collateral against the loan in question. Essentially, the loan is ’secured’ against the asset so, in the event of defaults in payment, the lender can take possession of the collateral and may sell it on in order to regain the amount of money originally lent to the borrower.

Secured loans which use property as collateral are also known as mortgage loans and, as the price of houses for sale in London continues to skyrocket, secured loans are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners in London. The high value of London property means that secured loan lenders are able to offer lower rates of interest to London homeowners than might be available through unsecured loans – a factor that is sure to appeal to homeowners who are keen to release some cash to make essential refurbishments to their house, or simply to reduce their monthly mortgage repayments.

What’s more, finding secured loans has never been easier. London homeowners keen to take advantage of their rising house value will be able to find a range of financial sources online that allows consumers to compare secured loans across the UK loan spectrum. If you own property in London, using these simple tools will make it easier for you to find the secured loan that best meets your personal circumstances – while at the same time helping you make the most of your valuable asset while the time is right!

Choose Carefully When you Search for Property in London

January 24th, 2010 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

When it comes to buying property in London, the number of choices available to you can be overwhelming. It’s easy to get carried away when looking for your ideal home in Britain’s most exciting city. However, it’s important to be realistic: with the average cost of a London property now reaching over £300,000, you need to be sensible when it comes to your London property search in order to find the home that will best suit you and your budget.

First and foremost, you’ll need to determine how much you can actually afford to spend as this can really affect your search. Typically, property in Central London is the most expensive, with the price of a single bedroom flat often in excess of £200,000. However, as you move further away from the city centre, London properties tend to become less expensive, with property in East London typically costing less than properties for sale in North London (although the 2012 Olympics may alter this pattern). So, if staying within your budget is your primary concern, then excluding central London from your thoughts should help narrow your search.

However, while location is of considerable importance, it’s also crucial to figure out what you’re looking for when it comes to your ideal home, and to make these desires fit in realistically within your property search. After all, there’s no point looking at property if it doesn’t fulfil any of your requirements!

Even if your individual budget is quite restricted, you’ll be able to find a city centre property that meets your requirements and suits your finances if you’re able to pool resources. If you’re buying with your spouse or partner, for example, a one-bedroom property in Chelsea may become more affordable.

What’s more, if you feel the need to live where the action is, why not opt for a house in East London where property prices still remain lower than many other areas of the city. With the 2012 Olympics looming near, the area is soon to be the hub of regeneration and will be the area to which all eyes will turn come the Olympic tournament. As a result, investing in an East London property today may reap a number of benefits in the future.

On the other hand, if one of your chief desires when searching for a property in London is a garden, or a multiple-bedroom property to house your large family, then searching for a house further outside the city centre is a more realistic expectation.

Where ever you choose to look for your ideal home in London, make sure you keep your budget in mind without compromising on your desires and requirements.

Aesthetic Designs Of London Estate

November 28th, 2009 StudioFlatsLondon 1 comment

Long considered New York City’s only truly formidable rival across the pond, London has grown by leaps and bounds since its ancient beginnings.  Vestiges of this rich history are still evident in much of the city’s architecture and infuse a sense of time-worn personality into the area’s infrastructure.  Alongside the stately mansions of Nob Hill and historically preserved towers of yore lie much of London’s real estate.  On the precipice of cutting edge, these properties are exquisitely styled and remarkably luxurious in both their floor plans and overall design aesthetic.  Laden with glass and steel, many of the newly constructed London properties fully leverages stunning glimpses of the Thames River and panoramic views of this sprawling international city.  Owning a piece of London property is an opportunity to invest in a part of history.  Conceived with modern conveniences in mind, London’s real estate market holds vintage charm with state of the art design to create a wholly original sensibility.  The city’s residents are particularly proud of London’s history and inject this pride of place into all they do.  Living in the city of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London is a truly enriching experience that will have you fascinated by both the country’s intriguing past and its equally promising future.  Boasting cobblestone streets that meander whimsically through the city, as well as the efficiency of technologically advanced public transit, buying London properties puts owners at the epicenter of a cultural hub whose value is priceless.  In addition, London’s location off the coast of Western Europe has made it an ideal air travel destination for decades with new flights opening every year.  With convenient flights constantly scheduled out of its two busy airports, London makes jet setting as simple as hopping in a car.  As England´s capital city, London contains all the amenities and ancient architecture that accompanies government seats.  Cathedrals dot the landscape of this urban wonderland while London´s real estate enchants visitors as it is interspersed with historic and modern landmarks.  The surrounding areas that extend beyond London´s urban center are charming, storybook settings with beautifully pastoral landscapes.  While many local residents commute into the city, the time is right to consider London homes as affordable options to save time and gain culture.  While the weather may have earned a reputation for fickleness, the city´s real estate market is a sure bet for satisfaction in the years to come.

London commercial property market in recovery

November 19th, 2009 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

Confidence is finally beginning to return to the UK commercial property market with signs indicating that the UK economy is now past the worst of the recession and moving nearer to genuine growth.The residential housing market led the commercial properties sector into the recession therefore, news that residential activity is increasing is welcome relief to the UK property industry as a whole.  This combined with falls in capital values and the fact that tenant demand is starting to slowly increase means the future for UK commercial property suddenly looks far less bleak than it did six months ago.This shift is most apparent in the central London commercial property market where sales have been steadily increasing over recent months.  Prime property prices in London have increased for the second month in a row and evidence shows that it is these quality properties that have really retained their value despite the recent economic conditions.  This is backed up by the fact that the strongest performing sales have been for prime real estate in locations such as Mayfair and Marylebone.Despite the recent changes and widespread acknowledgement that UK commercial property is a compelling investment opportunity the recession is not yet behind us.  The outlook is now far more promising for commercial property owners however they still need to find effective means to get through the next twelve months.  Landlords are being extremely resourceful.  As well as decreasing rents and increasing tenant inducements they are also looking to new ways of getting the most out of their commercial property.  Landlords that are adaptable and reactive to new market trends are the most likely to remain successful.  Unemployment has now officially overshot the two million mark therefore there is an increasing amount of potential tenants that are claiming housing benefits.  These tenants are generally semi-skilled workers who have good credit scores and references but are out of work as a result of the recession.  Adaptable landlords are asking local councils to recommend housing benefit tenants for their properties.  Other areas where commercial property landlords are diversifying include student accommodation and some are even looking into leasing out their properties unused parking spaces where they can earn on average an extra £3,200 a year.

Small Town London For Big Time Luxury Real Estate

October 4th, 2009 StudioFlatsLondon No comments

London is a most spectacular place to visit, but it’s an even better place when you find luxury London properties to live in. Europe is known for their luxury lifestyle. That is what you will find when you go to find London properties using London real estate agents. So, what is a person to find that supports the concept of luxury when looking for London property? Allow us to fill you in on what all London could hold for you.Plenty of RoomRoom is not an issue with a luxury London property. When touring through homes with a London real estate agent, you can be sure to find much space. What do most London properties include? Here are just a few! *Cloakroom *Master bedroom *Guestroom *Breakfast room *Kitchen *Reception room *Study *Dining roomOutdoor ExtrasOutdoor extras add to enjoying what luxury London properties have to offer. Part of what draws many people to London is the rich history that can be seen in the parks, on the streets, and on the buildings. All of this adds to the luxury as you are captivated by London properties’ beauty. Here are a few things that will help you enjoy such luxuries. *Terraces *GardensConvenienceThe convenience behind these London properties will allow you time to enjoy the luxuries that London properties come with. Some of these places are near some well known locations within London. Such places consist of: *Victoria Street *Cheyne Walk *Kings Road * Fun shops *Delicious restaurants. HistoryMuch of what you see with London properties has a story to tell with London’s history. Many of these places have been around for years and have a rich history. So, not only are you getting luxury when you take on a London property, but you take on a culture to learn about and embrace. Luxury London properties are your home away from home. They invite you to learn what true luxury is in a homey atmosphere bustling with business. London property is near transportation to easily get around and see what London has to offer, and there are many things to do in the vicinity of a London property. There is much to see and do. With many shops and fine dining places to try you’ll be sure to have luxury at your fingertips or just down the street.  With that in mind, don’t you think you are entitled to some luxury in your life? Check out some luxury with what London real estate has to offer you. You’ll be amazed at the luxurious and easy going life style that London property has to offer.